Beautiful chateaux, famous wines and terrific food: what more do you need to experience the real France? This cycling tour centered around the Bordeaux vineyards include some of the most famous names of the area: Saint Emilion, Sauternes, Graves and many more! You will start in Bergerac, and make your way to the Entre deux Mers region and Saint Emilion. An option to discover the Medoc wines is also possible. Discover this countryside mixed with vineyards, chateaux, and a rich inheritance of walled towns, abbeys, and medieval castles during an unforgettable cycling tour! While Bordeaux is world famous, a lesser-known part of this region is just waiting to be discovered. In the Gironde, between the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers, less than 13 miles south of Bordeaux lies Entre-Deux-Mers, an area brimming with vineyards .		I cannot begin to tell you what a postive and beautiful experience we had. The logistics ran like clockwork, leaving us free to enjoy bicycling, the lovely French people, food, wine and countryside. Accomodations were better than expected and hotel staff were all delightful! I want to go back...now! - A. Urso

Day 1: Arrive in Bergerac - a large town with good rail access and services. The
historic city is very picturesque and offers visits including the Maison des Vins -
for local wines. Hotel and dinner included, orientation and bike setup at 6pm at
your hotel. Dinner included. (D) In Bergerac, if time allos, you can visit La Maison des Vins, the headquarters of the Council of Wine makers of the Bergerac region. For some info about sites in Bergerac - Click

Day 2: Cycling Bergerac-Duras 47 km.
Start your tour by riding through the vineyards of Bergerac and Monbazillac. In Monbazillac, take some time to visit the château and its museum dedicated to wine, where you can also taste some wines. Then, cycle on to Duras, where you spend the night in a charming 3* hotel and sample some of the wines of the Duras appellation. Dinner included. (B, D).

Day 3: Duras-Saint Macaire 50 km.
A ride through the Entre Deux Mers region and its vineyards. Discover the charming medieval village of Saint Macaire, which used to be a rich merchant town in the Bordelais area. Overnight in a Bacchus property tonight, a special theme accommodation program where the B&B owner is a French resident that is also a wine producer. Dinner included. (B,D)

Day 4: Saint Macaire to Bordeaux 65 km.
Ride through the vineyards of Graves. Graves is an important wine region of Bordeaux, producing over 20 million bottles each year. It is the oldest appellation of the Bordeaux region which goes back to Eleanor of Aquitaine, who married King Henry the 2nd, creating a
flourishing trade between both countries : wine versus coal and iron. Then, you'll
join the cycle path « Roger Lapebie » and make your way to Bordeaux. Your
hotel is located in the center of the city. Dinner on your own.(B)

Day 5: Bordeaux to Margaux 35 km.
A short ride from Bordeaux to Margaux, your door to the Medoc region. Take some time to visit the Château Margaux and Château Siran, and taste some of their wines. The region produces mainly red wines, with about 1,500 vineyards. Overnight in a charming 3* hotel. Dinner included. (B,D)

Day 6: Margaux Loop Tour 50 km.
A loop tour to Pauillac in the heart of the Medoc vineyards. The itinerary will be a dream for all wine lovers. The area is home to three of Bordeaux's five first growth wines: Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, and Château Mouton Rothschild. Return to Margaux for the night. Dinner on your own.. (B)

Day 7 : Margaux to Saint Emilion 47 km
A ride to one of the most famous vineyards of the region: Saint Emilion! Discover this World Heritage site, with fascinating Romanesque churches and ruins stretching all along steep and narrow streets. The Romans planted vineyards in what was to become Saint-Émilion as early as the 2nd century AD. The town was named after the monk Émilion, a travelling confessor, who settled in a hermitage carved into the rock there in the 8th century. It was the monks who followed him that started up the commercial wine production in the area. Overnight in a 3* hotel and dinner on your own. (B)

Day 8: Saint Emilion to Sainte Radegonde 40 km
Spend some additional time in the morning visiting Saint Emilion before heading towards Sainte Radegonde. On your way, you'll discover the vineyards of Pommerol, Castillon and Montravel. After a long day of biking, you'll relax in a beautiful château hotel with pool in the countryside. Dinner included. (B,D)

Day 9: Sainte Radegonde to Bergerac. 43 km
Ride back to Bergerac through Sainte Foy la Grande and the vineyards of Saussignac. Visit the village of Sainte Foy la Grande. Overnight in Bergerac in a 3* hotel. Dinner on your own. (B)

Departure after breakfast, trains from Bergerac possible. For extended nights or riding to the Medoc vineyards area, please inquire. (B)

OPTION: To see the 7 night version , click here for details...

The trip includes: all lodging consisting of 9 nights in charming 3 and 4 star hotels; all breakfast and 5 dinners, daily bag transfer, arrival orientation, road book with detailed maps and directions, optional rides for more mileage, site/visit information, emergency support. We also provide travel planning to add Paris hotels, car rentals, France hotels, trains, airport transfers, trains, and more.

Hotels: Hotel de France, Hostellerie des Ducs, Feuilles d'Acanthe, Hotel Les 4 Soeurs, Pavillon de Margaux, Logis des Remparts, Chateau de Sanse. Upgrade in St Emilion and Bergerac possible.

Bike Rentals: 130 euros (click to view) Scott Sportster P3 hybrids; see link for full details and picture. Helmets and add on materials included. Merckx racing bikes available also see Cycling Classics for specs under Rental Bikes. LaPierre tandems also available for rent on this tour for 205 euros. See link.

Scott Sportster P3 hyrid rentals - the best rental bike available in the region for 2008, certainly so for self-guided travelers!

Additional Night Bergerac: 105 euros//double room including breakfast.

Optional Services:
Travel insurance, Paris museum & metro passes, Paris day tours, Lido shows, and other services. Cell phone rental and luggage storage services.

Note: prices subject to change based upon currency fluctuations. See Booking Terms and Conditions.